Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 13:10

What does 1 Corinthians 13:10 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 13:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 13:10 means

There is a coming wholeness—“that which is perfect”—when God completes His saving purpose. When that arrives, the partial forms of knowing and speaking will pass away because they are no longer needed. Paul is not degrading the gifts but locating them in time. They are like scaffolding useful during construction; when the building is complete, the scaffolding comes down. This points believers’ hope beyond present experiences to God’s consummation. The church should therefore prize what belongs to both now and forever—love—while giving thanks for temporary helps that serve until the day of fullness.

1 Corinthians 13:10 in context

1 Corinthians 13 — The More Excellent Way

Set in the middle of Paul's discussion of spiritual gifts, this chapter is the great hymn of love. Eloquence without love is noisy brass. Knowledge, faith, and self-sacrifice without love profit nothing. Love is patient and kind, does not envy or boast, is not arrogant or rude, does not insist on its own way, is not irritable or resentful, rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Tongues will cease and knowledge pass away, but love never fails.

  • Christian love
  • Gifts in proportion
  • Permanence of love
  • Maturity

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But when that which is complete is come, then that which is in part will be no longer necessary.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and when that which is perfect may come, then that which <FI>is<Fi> in part shall become useless.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but when that which is perfect has come, that which is in part shall be done away.

Context

Following verse 9’s “in part,” verse 10 presents the future “perfect” that will replace the partial. This sets up two illustrations that unpack the transition: moving from childhood to adulthood (v. 11) and from an obscure reflection to direct encounter (v. 12). The flow keeps the reader focused on the timeline of God’s plan so that the church prizes what lasts instead of what dazzles for a season.

v.9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;

v.10This passage

v.11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 21:22

    And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God the Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple thereof.

  • Revelation 22:4

    and they shall see his face; and his name shall be on their foreheads.

  • Isaiah 60:19

    The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but Jehovah will be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.

  • Isaiah 24:23

    Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Jehovah of hosts will reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders shall be glory.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:7

    (for we walk by faith, not by sight);

  • 1 Corinthians 13:12

    For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known.

Sermon ideas from 1 Corinthians 13:10

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What 1 Corinthians 13:10 teaches us about christian love

  • What 1 Corinthians 13:10 teaches us about gifts in proportion

  • What 1 Corinthians 13:10 teaches us about permanence of love

  • What 1 Corinthians 13:10 teaches us about maturity

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